Essay - Oracle of Delphi the Purpose of This Paper is to...

Oracle of Delphi

***** purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic ***** ancient history. Specifically, it will ***** the Oracle of Delphi in Ancient Greece, *****cluding the important aspects of ***** cultural experience that took place at Delphi. Delphi was one of the most significant oracles in Ancient Greece. The Greeks submitted *****ir most vital state constitutions to the oracle for approval, and ***** Delphian god answered the most sacred ***** important questions of the day, as well (Burkert 116). Culturally, the Oracle at Delphi was a ***** p*****rt of the everyday lives and society of ***** people, who based their government, battles, and significant decisions on the ********** prophesies. In addition, Apollo, the most important Greek god, ruled over the Oracle at *****, and was "present" dur*****g consultations when the oracle spoke. Thus, ***** Oracle at Delphi was one of the ***** ***** oracles in Greece, and had incredible influence over the people's lives. The cultural experience at Delphi encompassed many aspect ***** Greek life, from the religious to the athletic, and so, it could be a microcosm of Greek culture ***** social life.

*****'s sphere of influence of ***** ***** is legendary and well documented. According to Burkert, Apollo's ***** of ***** included prophesizing or divination. Zeus clearly differentiated *****tween Apollo ***** Dionysus, his other son, giving Dionysus reign over the erotic, ***** in*****iation spheres, effectively separating ***** duties and responsibilities, while he watc*****d over both equally (Burkert 111). ***** addition, ***** worshippers stretched ***** Sicily throughout ***** sphere of ***** influence, and more than one city or *****wn was named for the god. In fact, there is at least some evidence th***** ***** was worshipped in ***** areas of the world, such as Asia M*****or, ***** may have actually been imported to ***** (Burkert 144). As a son of *****, Apollo had incredible powers, and ********** ***** led to his reverence as the most important and revered Greek god.

Apollo ***** a youthful god, and ***** such, he served as t***** ideal for the civilization, ***** revered youth as ***** model of perfection throughout the culture. In addition, the people saw Apollo as a god of the father (Zeus) and a special interpreter ***** ancient ideals and matters. They believed he resided in the middle of the *****, or the "navel of the earth," and so he knew all and could prophesy all (Source Document). He was the most complex of ***** Greek gods because he actually re*****ed two opposite notions. In effect, ***** was a paradox. His sheath of arrows indicated he was a healing god, ***** yet, he ***** also the god of disease (or the plague), and so, he represented ***** *****s in ***** - ***** ***** *****. This made him one of the most complex **********, but certainly one ***** the ***** interesting as well.

Apollo's appeal ***** stems from the fact that he is so multi-talented. He is a hunter and warrior, ***** yet, he is not